dnata Travel announces 58% growth in bookings for travel to Ireland from the UAE

Travel from the UAE to Ireland has seen strong growth from January 1 until June 30, 2019, based on travel statistics released by dnata Travel.Compared to the same period (H1) in 2018, UAE locals and residents have been visiting Ireland in greater numbers. Over the first two quarters of the year, 58% more bookings to Ireland were made through dnata Travel’s platforms, and room nights booked have also increased by 72%.Additional data indicates that sales of trips and accommodation to Ireland increased nearly two-fold during Eid Al Fitr alone, as compared to last year. This correlated to the travel provider noting that online searches for holidays to Ireland have seen a 675% augmentation in the first six months of this year. The most preferred destination for travellers from the UAE market was to Dublin, with 95% of hotel bookings made through the dnata Travel platform favouring the capital city, followed by Cork. Visitors from the region have been found to reinforce their preference for luxury accommodation whilst abroad, as 47% of hotels booked were for 5-star properties, followed by 4-star and 3-star hotels respectively.Visa free entry available to UAE nationals is one of the contributing factors towards the spike in travel figures. The UAE’s support and celebration of Ireland’s National Day – with numerous UAE landmarks such as the Burj Khalifa lighting up in green – as well as dnata Travel’s unique heart-shaped wind dome in The Dubai Mall, further enforced visibility and awareness of Ireland as a top holiday destination.